The Nevada Private Investigators Board provides guard cards (aka a PILB Card) to Las Vegas security guards. This card allows the guard to work in the private security industry and provide guard services at Vegas' businesses. This article describes the steps for getting a guard card in Las Vegas.

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First time applicants are likely to experience a bit of confusion as they attempt to navigate the website of the Nevada Private Investigator's Board. The site places the requirements for a "work card" and a "license" on the same page. These are two very different matters. Security officers who work for a security company only need to apply for a work card. Security officers who are starting their own security agency must apply for a private patrolman license. Thus, 99% percent of those who visit this page should probably disregard the Board' directions as they relate to a "license" or a "private patrolman license."

1. Take a look at the unarmed security test prep guide and then take the sample unarmed security exam.
These materials will help you to become familiar with the principles of private security as you apply for your PILB guard card and go to work as a security guard in Las Vegas.

2. Review the PILB guard card application questions.
This application form will provide a knowledge of the various application requirements. Take note of the following:

You must be 18 years old to apply; and

You will need to provide adequate identification information including your driver's license and either a social security card, birth certificate or passport; and

If you are a non-citizen, a permanent resident card/employment authorization card or a US Passport; and

You must pass an unarmed security exam; and

You will be required to submit to a fingerprint exam and photograph; and

The Board will ask for your last five years of employment history, child support payment status and arrest history; and

Prepare to pay the state an application fee of $85 ( Notice: Nevada law states that certain past criminal offenses disqualify an applicant from receiving an unarmed security guard card. These include a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the illegal use or possession of a dangerous weapon.

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Print out the confirmation of your payment because you may be asked to provide proof of payment before you can submit your fingerprints.

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You may monitor the status of your guard card application using the online application portal. As you review your data, you should notice that there are still a few more steps that you will need to complete before you will be awarded with your PILB guard card.

4. Study for and take the state's online exam.
The exam consists of 30 questions. The questions are not hard but you will need to get them all correct because the state requires a 100% score. The questions are available to look over before you take the test and you can study for them using the Nevada unarmed guard card study guide which you can find here.

You are allowed to retake the exam as necessary.

5. Submit your proof of identification documents to the Nevada Private Investigator's Licensing Board.
For US citizens this includes a driver's license and either a social security card, birth certificate or passport. Non-citizen permanent residents may need to submit an employment authorization card or a US Passport. The applicant can submit these documents by taking them to the Board's Las Vegas office at Suite 203 of the office complex located at 3110 S. Durango Drive.

6. Get your fingerprints and photo taken.
This will take place at a fingerprint vendor. You can potentially cut your cost by doing some research on pricing. For example, Fingerprint Pros located in Suite 17 at 2620 S Maryland Parkway charges $19 for the fingerprinting and $6 for taking your photo.

Bring proof of your licensing payment with you to the fingerprint vendor. This will let them know that you have already submitted your application to PILB and are eligible for fingerprinting.

WARNING! Do NOT submit your fingerprints until after you have started your online application with PILB AND have submitted your $85 payment.

7. Monitor the status of your application and ensure that you have submitted all required items.
Sign in to your application account. It's here where you can review your submitted information and catch any items that are missing. Once all of your information has been processed the Board can issue a provisional guard card. This provisional card will allow you to work as a security officer in Las Vegas.

TIP! As a rule of thumb, applicants should expect that it will take two to three weeks for their application to receive initial approval and to be able to start work as a security guard in Las Vegas.

WARNING! After the initial submission of their application, applicants have 30 days to submit the secondary information such as the online test and fingerprints. If the applicant takes longer he will potentially need to re-submit his application including the $85 payment!

8. Remember to renew your PILB registration card.
It will expire in five years. For instructions on renewal see this page.

Are you ready to become an unarmed security officer? Start out the right way by getting your free copy of The Unarmed Security Exam Prep Guide. This free guide walks the reader through the essentials which all security officers should know before starting the job.